Population Matters

Analysis

Population Matters is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in May 2006, 20 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03019081). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending June 2025, Population Matters reported income of £1.7m and spending of £1.2m, leaving 31% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £840k to £1.7m (+107%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 204%. Over the whole period it spent 54% of the income it received.

Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Population Matters sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Gaia Foundation (£1.7m), The Hiscox Foundation (£1.7m) and Friends of the Lake District (£1.7m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 97% and investments 2.5%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £1.1m. Charitable activities took 67% of spending and raising funds 29%. Reserves of £5.1m would cover about 49 months of spending at that rate. It employed 12 people.